Letters To The Editor

Law and justice

System ensures deadly deja vu

Re: “Two held in firebombing, shooting incident.”

Hello? Is there anyone in Spokane surprised that Lamont A. Brooks is back in jail as a suspect in another extremely violent crime? I sincerely hope that Judge Robert Austin and Brooks’ attorney are proud of getting attempted first-degree murder charges dismissed last year.

If you don’t remember, Brooks was on trial for shooting up several carloads of strangers at the downtown Jack-in-the-Box. The charges were dismissed because of his photo’s placement in the police line-up.

Previous to that, he had been convicted of riot and assault, two probation violations and for illegally possessing a gun. Why was he free to possibly commit either of the latest violent acts he has been implicated in? Had he served jail time for any of the above, he would not have been able to allegedly shoot up and firebomb an apartment Tuesday night.

This also shows the folly of gun control laws and any other attempt to legislate morality. Why anyone thinks convicted felons like Brooks care about gun control legislation is a mystery to me.

When we start putting dangerous criminals like Brooks in prison, stop dismissing charges on cheesy technicalities and quit using race as a defensive trump card, the rest of society may advance. Until then, attorneys and criminals have us right where they want us. Brian S. Lehman Spokane

Some shouldn’t be incarcerated

It is distressing that we have so many people in jail. A doubling in the last 10 years is not logical. The number of violent crimes is down because the number of violent criminals is down.

Geiger Correctional Center should be used for criminals who are likely to flee. Why should they be jailed while waiting for a court date if they are not likely to flee?

I know of one young man who was turning his life around and working every day. He is now sitting in Geiger awaiting a public defender and a court date. He was being a productive member of society. Now he is sitting idle, earning nothing to support his child. This makes no sense. He is not likely to flee. He wants to work. Where is the right to a speedy trial?

I am heartened to see that both County Commissioner Phil Harris and Geiger administrators have made helpful suggestions to alleviate the overcrowding. Now it’s time for the judiciary to implement their thoughtful suggestions, such as house arrest. John A. Perkins Spokane

Abortion

Forgiveness? Give women a break

Re: “Catholic ads promote forgiveness for abortion” (April 7).

So the Catholic Church wants to forgive women who’ve had abortions. Their patronizing offer, which reinforces pernicious church rules, is bungled damage control for a problem they created.

I’m not discounting the need to address grief people feel about their previous abortions. But churches preach needless guilt to responsible couples opting to control their fertility.

Women (and men), a little liberation is in order!

When gritty realities (such as birth control failures, naivete, health problems, poverty) swamp pretty myths (“happily ever after” and “always room for one more”) and force pregnant women to consider abortion, churches forbidding this option make a tough decision even more difficult. If the church understood and cared, as it claims, it would condone abortion as backup birth control and counsel it be done as early in the pregnancy as possible.

Science notes each woman normally produces 300-500 mature eggs and fully half of fertilized eggs spontaneously abort. There’s no sense fussing over medical abortion when each woman has literally hundreds of chances for pregnancy and her body employs abortion naturally.

Something inside women dies, all right -cultural myths and faith in societal systems that marginalize women. I left the Catholic Church at age 14 because of its lack of regard for women. I’ve rejected the shameful games they play with women about sexuality, fertility and other issues.

This latest offer and its malevolent message - women should feel guilty about abortions, get counseling and confess - is another sham. Kathy R. Hill Spokane

Higher education

Good that GU keeps the faith

I applaud Father Robert Spitzer and Gonzaga University for the decision to keep Planned Parenthood off campus. In this day, when so many religious groups are watering down their teachings, it is encouraging to see Gonzaga and the Catholic Church uphold a most important teaching, the sacred value of life. Robyn Hopkins Mead

GU opts for `brainwashing’

Re: “Planned Parenthood not welcome at GU” (April 13).

It is amazing that a group of celibate men can suppress the discussion of abortion on a university campus. What is their fear? Are they afraid to lose future members of their faith? They have damaged the reputation of Gonzaga University as a great institution of learning when they restrict open discussion on any subject that they feel conflicts with their teachings.

It appears to some of us as a subtle form of brainwashing. Hugh Junkin Spokane

People in society

Stay-home moms getting it right

About single moms having the courage to stay home: Hurray, you moms!

These women would seem to have all the odds against them, yet they decided what their kids needed most of all was their time and love. The road will be difficult but it proves that there are more choices available than some people would imagine.

Using these courageous moms as examples, I would challenge couples who tell me there is no other choice but to have both parents work away from their children, to think again. Your children, toddlers or teenagers, want your time and love much more than anything else.

If you feel your circumstances require more income or time away from home, then change your circumstances. I’ve seen it done. If you want something, you need to make it happen.

That is what these women did and I respect them for taking chance and putting their children first. They put many of us to shame with their courage. Sabina Milbrath Rosalia, Wash.

Don’t tolerate violent, evil people

I was stunned yet not surprised to hear about the brutal slaying of that little pup near Plummer, Idaho. What could possibly have been the thrill in pumping five bullets into this dog? What kind of people are we becoming? Do we not possess any shame any more? Nor conscience?

We have built a society that looks the other way, that dismisses the difference between right and wrong, supports nondiscipline and slaughters innocent lives at the drop of a hat.

We live in a country that places no value on human life, let alone any other life. Is it any wonder when something this heinous happens?

It is high time that the judicial system in this country stand for something. It is called justice, which means to stand and fight for the those who can’t fight for themselves. It is called being decent and moral, holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

These culprits need to be caught and put behind bars where they belong. By doing this, we are stating that we will not tolerate this behavior any more.

Until then we are all responsible when something like this happens, and the only ones who have the power to change it. For that is what makes America rise above the rest, that we the people do hold the power to make things right. Jeanie Smith Nine Mile Falls

Health and safety

Learn how, why meth is such a menace

I recently attended a presentation at Kootenai Medical Center about methamphetamine. The program covered its manufacture, use and presence in our communities. Idaho law enforcement did an excellent job educating me about the serious nature and truly rampant use of this drug.

Distressing to me was the lack of attendance. Folks, if you knew the magnitude of the problem and the amount of big money that you’re paying to combat it, you’d be appalled and outraged:

$30,000 just for protective clothing for cleanup crews this year.

Up to 80 percent of crime in our area is related to meth in some way.

$10,000-$15,000 cleanup cost per bust (23 busts this year).

Meth is an extremely toxic concoction of chemicals and an environmental nightmare. The waste from its manufacture is being left on roadsides, in campgrounds - anywhere. It can burn, poison, kill on contact or when people breathe it in.

It’s absolutely essential that we all learn more about how serious this scourge is. We need to combat the meth problem now.

I demand all local mayors, city councils and Kootenai County officials to videotape that excellent presentation and broadcast it on local TV. This presentation should be taken to the schools. If kids saw what materials are used to cook this drug and what it does to your body and mind, perhaps the information would help them.

Learn about this drug and how easy it is to make and use, and its disastrous effect on users and our town. It will make all our other community problems look pale in comparison. Phil Kiesewetter Dalton Gardens, Idaho

Ban cell phone use while driving

In regard to Paul G. Wilson’s April 12 letter, I do agree with him on one count of stupidity. It is stupidity that people feel it is necessary to make phone calls from their automobile while driving down the road.

I am speaking from experience when I say this. My husband and I were almost run off the road by a person using a cell phone. This person was busy talking and started coming into our lane of traffic, pushing us off the road. This is not the first time anything like this has happened to us.

We have followed a person using a cell phone. He was all over the road, trying to write something while he was talking and driving. It makes a person very nervous when they see something like that going on.

Cell phones need to be banned from being used while a person is driving. There are enough obstacles out there to contend with when a person is driving. A person using a cell phone should not be one of them. Bobbie L. Thoms Airway Heights

Safe-air proponent will be missed

We sorrowfully regret to inform you that one of your regular respondents to the Letters page has passed away. Her name was Leta Donahoo. She was a woman of many words and opinions.

Leta suffered with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was a strong supporter of many things, one of which was notifying people of what perfumed sprays can do to a person who is just simply fighting for a breath.

We were blessed to have Donahoo as a part of our lives. And knowing how much she enjoyed the letters section, we hope we can express to just one person how important it is to be aware of others’ difficulties. We will feel that we are continuing her fight to breathe. Toni Elliott and family Spokane

Other topics

Union’s cause is everyone’s future

I thank all the people who were instrumental in sending the ship that was loaded with toxic materials back to Japan. This ship should have never been allowed in our waters. Thank you to all the union people who kept the hazardous waste out of our state.

To the Ladies of Steel, keep up the good fight. You have not been thanked enough. The Kids of Steel, who have had this time in your lives taken away by big industry, don’t ever forget this. Your parents are not only fighting for themselves but for you and generations to come.

Shame on you, House Co-Speaker Clyde Ballard. People voted for you to be represented, not for you to sit and not allow a vote on the unemployment bill for Steelworkers which the Senate has passed twice and sent on to the House.

These special sessions are a waste of taxpayers’ money. And all because of petty politics.

Let it be known to those who sit back and criticize those who fight for better jobs, better health care, better pay and better working conditions, you must like breathing the smoke from Kaiser smokestacks that are filled with toxic materials, the burning of the grass fields, the pollution of our water, etc.

And to the Steelworkers and the state workers who slept on the marble floors at the Capitol - hats off to you.

“One day longer” - united we will win. Don DeLong United Steelworker, Veradale

Honor those who care for our Earth

Earth Day celebrations and activities around the county will be held on April 22. It is good that citizens take time and think about the Earth and how it impacts their lives.

Farmers, foresters and those who produce clean energy celebrate and honor every day as Earth Day. They are aware that actions taken today will impact tomorrow. This is why these people use advanced technology to protect the environment each and every day. These people are the first to be impacted if the best environmental practices are not used.

Farmers’ families eat the food that is produced on their land, drink the water from the wells on the farm and breathe the air that surrounds them.

Foresters live and work the land and use best management practices. They provide us with a continuous supply of timber that we use for shelter and paper products (such as this newspaper and toilet paper, too).

Those who produce hydropower support clean air. These people do care and do take care of our natural resources.

As each of you celebrates Earth Day please take time and remember you need to be thankful we have these people taking care of the Earth so we can all enjoy a high quality of life. Alice Parker, executive secretary Columbia Basin Development League, Royal City, Wash.

More heavy-handed regulation

The Clinton administration penchant for expanding government oversight of industry practice has set a new benchmark. The inclusion of a corporate responsibility clause in Bonneville Power contracts opens the door for unprecedented intrusion upon our daily lives.

By establishing BPA as watchdog over environmental and safety practices of its customers, is the next step authorization for it to require BPA customers to conform to environmental, safety or other standards defined by some government agency, perhaps up to and including our charitable contributions? It seems reasonable to me that the electric utility companies which comprise the majority of BPA purchasers could be required to evaluate whether you and I are complying as well.

Going one step further, such intrusive regulation will also be forthcoming in other energy industries such as natural gas, petroleum and even the coal mining industry, reputed to be a major polluter itself. I can imagine not being allowed to purchase gasoline unless I certify that I recycle or that my home is properly insulated.

There is already substantial oversight of industry practices by various governmental agencies at significant cost to all of us. We don’t need another agency expanding its authority unnecessarily. William H. Allison Medical Lake